The local Church celebrated the 75th anniversary of the first pilgrimage to the Marian shrine and the inauguration of the Virgin’s grotto. At least six faithful died in traffic accidents and the police thwarted an attack by an Islamic fundamentalist group. There are calls for more security on the roads and the need for sanitary facilities and services.
Mariamabad () – A series of incidents marred the three-day pilgrimage to the Marian national shrine of Mariamabad, in the district of Sheikhupura, province of Punjab, which took place from 6 to 8 September. From the attack by a group of Muslims on a caravan of Christians on the road to Sheikhupura to the attack by a truck on believers who were heading to the holy place, these events overshadowed an event that was supposed to be a celebration for the entire country. Not least because this year marked the 75th anniversary of the first pilgrimage to one of the symbolic sites of Christianity in Pakistan: a shrine that on 24 August also hosted the inauguration ceremony of the grotto of the Virgin presided over by Monsignor Benny Mario Travas, apostolic administrator of the archdiocese of Lahore.
The first event to overshadow the celebrations was an attack by Islamic extremists, which was nipped in the bud by the swift intervention of the police, who confronted the attackers, putting them to flight and ensuring the safety of the pilgrims. On the Sangla route in Faisalabad, a truck ran over a group of worshippers: four youths suffered serious head injuries and two others died. The total death toll is four, with at least two youths killed – part of a group of four from Samundari village and one from Dawood Nagar Faisalabad – in motorcycle accidents (Photo 2 the funerals).
Interviewed by , human rights activist Aksa Kanwal explains: “The main reason for these accidents is that the road is very small, it is a single lane but the traffic is two-way. In addition, during the days of pilgrimage to the Marian shrine “truck drivers continue to drive their vehicles at high speed” despite the flow of vehicles. “The local government,” he warns, “should work to widen the road” and ensure the presence of more police patrols to control speed and act as a deterrent. “Furthermore, I also urge our people to remain serious when visiting the shrine, also because it is a blessed event and not a festival for pure entertainment.”
“I would also like to draw the attention of the organisers of the pilgrimage to the Marian shrine,” Aksa Kanwal continues, “to some important issues in Mariabad. Nearly 200,000 people visit the place of worship, but there are no proper sanitary facilities. People, especially women, have to endure a lot of inconvenience, going into the fields to urinate and sometimes asking locals to use their toilets. There are no suitable rooms or dormitories for families, who are forced to spend the nights in cemeteries and wastelands. Our diocese and the government,” she concludes, “should invest more in the Marian shrine to facilitate pilgrimages.”
The current and critical situation did not, however, prevent the more than 200,000 pilgrims from participating in the Diamond Jubilee with flowers, songs, meditations and prayers, accompanied by bishops from all over Pakistan, who wished to take part in the event themselves. Each prelate lit a candle, confirming an appointment that marks a milestone in the life of the local Church. People from different cities visited the shrine in caravans and cars, others using trains, vans, motorbikes, bicycles and any other means of transport available to reach the shrine. And some made the journey on foot, as a sign of respect and dedication to the Virgin.
During the homily of the Mass, Bishop Joseph Arshad recalled how “both Joseph and Mary represent a holy family, firm in their faith.” Today, he added, “I have a message for all families: give the best of yourselves in the formation and education of your children in the Catholic faith. Without faith we cannot grow and elevate our lives, our faith is our strength and our power and we must follow in the footsteps of Mary, who teaches us to remain united to God at all times. She has always been at Jesus’ side even in his difficulties.” “Today,” he concluded, “I pray for the missionaries who have dedicated their lives to spreading the Gospel in this land and for the bishops, priests, nuns, catechists and local faithful who do everything possible to promote the Catholic faith and values among others through practices and teachings.”
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